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Catholic Nuns Support House Passage of HCR

From the AP, endorsement of HCR by the leaders of 60 orders, representing 59,000 nuns:

Meanwhile, in a rare public disagreement that will reverberate among the nation's 70 million Catholics, leaders of religious orders representing 59,000 nuns sent lawmakers a letter urging lawmakers to pass the Senate health care bill. Expected to come before the House by this weekend, the measure contains abortion funding restrictions that the bishops say don't go far enough.

"Despite false claims to the contrary, the Senate bill will not provide taxpayer funding for elective abortions," said the letter signed by 60 leaders of women's religious orders. "It will uphold longstanding conscience protections and it will make historic new investments ... in support of pregnant women. This is the real pro-life stance, and we as Catholics are all for it."

Comments

Anyone who supports the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade is de facto proabortion. To ignore the inevitable federal funding of the killing of children in the womb is de facto proabortion. I am sitting here looking at the future of women's religious congregations. No pantsuits. No frowns. Eleven smiling faces of fully-habited nuns of the Nashville Dominicans. According to this mailer their median age is 36. Fifty sisters in formation with an average of 15 entering each year. Unhappy dissent equals the death of congregation. Happy fidelity equals youth and growth.

This also gives the lie to Obama and the Catholic left that they want common ground. There is no more common ground position on abortion than no federal funding. It is only the extemes on teh proabortion left who want federal funding. Obama lied to the Pope. He lied at Notre Dame. The Catholic left are complicit in the lies.

I'm sorry, but I don't follow Eggloff's arguments here. Perhaps he could further explain:1. What does the increase in vocations in the Nashville Dominicans have to do with health care reform? 2. How do nuns without pantsuits or frowns chalk up to "unhappy dissent" and the "death of congregation"? 3. How does "this" [what does "this" refer to] give the lie to Obama and the Catholic left [who say?] they want common ground? 4. Common ground on what? 5. What did Obama lie about at ND? To the Pope? 6. Who is the "Catholic left"? How would you define those in it?7. How were the Catholic left complicit in the lies?

1. What does the increase in vocations in the Nashville Dominicans have to do with health care reform?The Nuns who elbowed their way into this debate in order to undercut the Bishops have no credibility. They are parts of dying congregations. An example of the future is the Nashville Dominicans.2. How do nuns without pantsuits or frowns chalk up to unhappy dissent and the death of congregation?Bitter unhappy dissenters do not attract vocations. 3. How does this [what does "this" refer to] give the lie to Obama and the Catholic left [who say?] they want common ground?The proposed healthcare bill is the this. 4. Common ground on what?Abortion.5. What did Obama lie about at ND? To the Pope?That he wants common ground.6. Who is the Catholic left? How would you define those in it?You.7. How were the Catholic left complicit in the lies?By supporting the notion that Obama wants common ground.

"One should really consider the source."We should be clear about this. The communique has been issued by an organization called NETWORK - "a national Catholic social justice lobby". Here is how they describe themselves:"NETWORK is a progressive voice within the Catholic community that has been influencing Congress in favor of peace and justice for more than 30 years."Through lobbying and legislative advocacy, we strive to close the gap between rich and poor and to dismantle policies rooted in racism, greed and violence.""Lobby" is the key word here. This statement is not issued on the letterhead of any order of women's religious. Nor is this a case of religious sisters speaking to Congress directly from the classroom, the ER, and the cloister. Nor is NETWORK out doing community organizing or feeding the hungry.Their office is on E Street. NETWORK seems to be in touch with the poor and vulnerable exactly to the extent that the USCCB is. Or the National Rifle Association.

Eggloff, thanks for your clarification. Re the following questions:1. I have met many of the younger Ann Arbor Dominicans. They are, indeed, happy and devout, and I expect they will make wonderful contributions to the Church. Does it follow that a nun who occasionally frowns and wears a pant suit is any less of a nun with a sincere calling?3. I still don't see how the health care bill gives the lie to Obama and the Catholic Left's desire to seek "common ground" on abortion. Is it because you believe it does not contain sufficient language to safeguard against federally funded abortions? If so, what language would you point to as evidence? 6. I'm a failed Catholic who has left the communion line but continues to attend Mass with husband and son. It would be unfair to use me as any sort of yardstick by which to measure "the Catholic left." Perhaps you could use some other criteria?

Do you know what else is dying out? home cooked meals, free play for children and marriage. Obviously, these are all welcome trends because virtue and credibility totally depend on the number and average age of people who hold a particular view.Nuns have more credibility than the bishops. For one thing, they get no favors and no advancement here, and might even be expecting retaliation, whereas the bishops . . . what can I say. Many have shown how low they are willing to go to preserve their institutional prerogatives.

I have listened to---and read---your one-sided debate in silence long enough. If it is NOT true that our tax dollars will be used to subsidize insurance companies that pay for abortion, why is it that Democrats have dug their heels in on their refusal to NOT reinstate The Hyde Amendment? It is the ONLY thing that is keeping Stupak and his principled pro-life group from voting for the bill. The answer is obvious: He is right. He is honest. He is the Saint Thomas More of our time. Look at yourselves. If it weren't so tragic it would be laughable: you Commonweal Catholics spend reams of paper arguing over the most excruciatingly obtuse theology, yet you feign your inability to understand what this change in the abortion language will make to our country. I don't buy it. It is straightforward and simple. Admit it: you are liberal Democrats first, and Catholics, second. After forty-seven years of reading and promoting your magazine, I can't ignore that fact any longer. It breaks my heart---because I'm not sure I can live without Richard Alleva---but I am cancelling my subscription. "So what?" (I can hear you sneering.) I am only one traditional Catholic on your long, long list of like-minded readers. You can liken me to that one insignificant child that never gets to see the light of God's wondrous world!

I have disagreed with Jean (with respect) about her approach and I have and will continue to disagree with Jim about his steadfast support of his and other bishops , even when they ar ewrongheaded,I think Egloff is over the top.The tension here between a leadership that continues to lose credibility and the folks on the ground struggling to live their faith is evident.Of course that's why the curia wanted a visitation - the same old problem of trying to get folks to knuckle under to the "continuation" VII brought.I can clearly see why folks here cheer the nuns.Thery're tired of yes men who will only support the powers that be, right or wrong.

Jim Pauwels: I'm so glad you have been gracious enough to deem Jean Raber a Catholic with integrity -- and I agree. But maybe you should try to be so generous with the staff at Commonweal, or others who don't believe obsequiousness to a bishop is the highest form of Catholic devotion, or else discontinue your ugly moralizing.If you can't help yourself, which I'm sure you can't, you can cast aspersions on EJ Dionne for his column in the Washington Post today:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR201003...

why is it that Democrats have dug their heels in on their refusal to NOT reinstate The Hyde Amendment?As has been said repeatedly, it is the Republicans who have dug in their heels, refusing to allow any substantive change to the bill in the Senate. They have promised to filibuster at any opportunity they get.If you can get one Republican Senator to support the most sweeping limitations on abortion coverage in decades, I bet the Stupak amendment would pass in the Senate. For purely partisan reasons, they will not support that effort, and the Democrats have no choice in the matter.

Note that the fury on the 'right' is getting to a higher pitch as the health care vote is getting to look like a pass this w/e. The same thing happened with the honorary degree at ND. Would that the 'right' get see the paper degree at a document dump in suburbsn Washington DC and calm down. and know that western civilization is not passing. Wait till they experience worldwide hierarchal resignations soon.

The Sisters have great moral authority, and seem to be in touch with reality.The incredible revelations about Pope Benedict and Cardinal Brady are one index that the hierarchy are losing all credibility by the hour, and are completely out of touch with reality.We need a Council.

Christina, the House voted for the Stupak amendment and would do so again if the Senate were willing to consider it. It's not because no Republicans will let it get through the current filibuster rules. What's your answer to that? Why aren't the bishops begging pro-life Catholic Republican Senators to relent on their position to allow a vote on the Stupak amendment? Murkowski, Lemieux, Risch, Brownback, Bunning, Vitter, Collins, Johanns, and Voinovich all list themselves as Catholics. Why do the bishops give them a free pass in allowing their priorities as politicians to trump their priorities as Catholics? IOKIYAR. We all know the answer.

Hey, who said anything about standing up for the bishops---or for so-called Catholic Republicans? I am speaking for myself. I cannot ignore my own very loud, informed conscience, that's all. I believe Mr. Stupak is also listening to his.

David G.--Your fine analysis of the abortion language in the Senate bill, as well as the convincing analyses provided by Matthew Boudway and Peter Nixon, have convinced me to support the Senate Bill. "It's not perfect," as Sister Carol has said, and it might need amendment once theory meets reality after enactment, but I can support the Senate bill, in much the same way Fr. Imbelli expressed his support yesterday, with "all sides ... acknowledg[ing] the fallibility of their prudential judgment, and that it is entered upon with a certain salutary 'fear and trembling,' since so much is at stake."Because I've valued your thoughts on sorting out the effects of the bill on abortion funding, I hope you won't mind my commenting that I hope your post at 10:07 was a heat-of-the-moment post that you'll reconsider after reflection, at least in part. Emotions are admittedly high, but the ad hominem nature of the post seems, IMHO, beneath your professionalism. "[U]gly moralizing," for example--was that necessary? My comment is intended in the spirit of charity that should bind all of us as Christians, and specifically as Catholic Christians.

Just want to add:-I see NCR editorial endorses the bill (I understand thery're not "traditional Catholic, whatever that means.)-See Miollie's latest thread on Dionne and the "correction" from Cardinal George, etc.-Thanks to Bill C. for a real right to life comment (I hate to say as usual.)

Jim:Is it a "civil disagreement" to question someone's genuineness as a Catholic without cause?Is it civil, and more importantly, intellectually honest, to paint with broad brush strokes the position of fellow Catholics?Is it a lttle arrogant to dismiss out of hand the genuine opintions of fellow Catholics who know a lot more than you do on healthcare issues?I civilly suggest the author of the quoted article is factually wrrong, refuses to engage the discussion in good faith and the tone is arrogant.

William Collier, thanks for your comments. Yes, there was a "heat of the moment" passion to the comment, but I truly feel it is beyond the bounds to question someone's faith and integrity as Jim Pauwels (and Mark Proska, whoever he is) has done with Grant and the staff of Commonweal. I should be more charitable, yes, and I have hopefully not fallen into the same trap of questioning people's Catholic faith because of their stand on this piece of legislation. I'll try to be more constructive, but I also don't want to let such ad hominems pass. Thanks again. david

The happy, habited, faithful and growing congregations of Nuns have chimed in. Guess who they stand with? The Truth and the Bishops.[The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious CMSWR represents over 103 communities and 10,000 members.] Council of Major Superiors of Women ReligiousP.O. Box 4467 Washington, D.C. 20017-0467Telephone: (202) 832-2575 FAX: (202) 832-6325 E-mail: cmswr@ix.netcom.comMarch 17, 2010In a March 15th statement, Cardinal Francis George, OMI, of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke on behalf of the United States Bishops in opposition to the Senates version of the health care legislation under consideration because of its expansion of abortion funding and its lack of adequate provision for conscience protection. Recent statements from groups like Network, the Catholic Health Association and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) directly oppose the Catholic Churchs position on critical issues of health care reform.The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, the second conference of Major Superiors of Women Religious in the United States, believes the Bishops position is the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church. Protection of life and freedom of conscience are central to morally responsible judgment. We join the bishops in seeking ethically sound legislation.Mother Mary Quentin Sheridan, R.S.M.PresidentOn behalf of the Membership of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious

David G - I haven't questioned the Catholicism of anyone here, and hope I never do. I asked the question, 'in what sense is Commonweal a Catholic magazine?'. Is there something about that question that is unfair?

"Christina, the House voted for the Stupak amendment and would do so again if the Senate were willing to consider it. "The Senate did consider it, and rejected it. They could consider it again. If the threat of a filibuster exists, then it would seem there are remedies to that as well. That those remedies would be difficult and time-consuming doesn't mean they're impossible.

I wrote: "Is there something about that question that is unfair?"I suppose that is like saying, "I think your baby's ugly - do you mind my saying that"?I do regret saying things, also in the heat of passion, that are better off unsaid. (And perhaps unthought). I apologize for that.Some time, when this is behind us and we've all cooled down, I would love to see a discussion of what it means to be a Catholic publication. But probably this isn't the right time!

A suggestion for anyone confused about "what it means to be a Catholic publication," and "in what sense is Commonweal a Catholic magazine":Read Catholic Authors, a fascinating collection of biographies edited by Matthew Hoehn, OSB. (St. Mary's Abbey, 1947.) Many of the writers mention the fact that they were published in Commonweal. The range of genres, points of view, etc., was wide. Catholics who are saddened by the narrowing of the Church are grateful that Commonweal and NCR have resisted the trend. http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=hoehn&sts=t&tn=catholic...

I don't see what's wrong with what the sisters said; feisty, yes, but as I read it, they're trying to urge peopl to look at ALL pro-life issues, not just on abortion.But, really, I don't know why Jim P. is taking so much heat here. He thought the sisters should word their missive in a different way. But if he was impugning anyone's integrity as a Catholic, i didn't see it. My heavens, y'all, Jim thinks I'm a good Catholic, and that takes a pretty big dollop of charity.I wonder to what extent some of the heat here comes not so much from what Jim has said, but from the way women have sometimes been dismissed by the Church. Am thinking of those Beguines of long ago who went through some tough times with the church authorities, but a good idea is hard to kill, and a good woman hard to keep muzzled!

No, not my implication at all, Mark.I'm not sure I even agree with the nuns' assessment of the health care initiative, even though not closing ranks with "the girls" might cost me my charter membership in the Great Lakes Chapter of the International Women's Conspiracy.But when women are on the side of truth and right, they'll figure out how to be heard, even if they're annoying or abrasive, and even if the Church tries to ignore them. I was thinking more along the lines of St. Birgitta of Sweden or Joan of Arc and the Beguines I mentioned above. (Their history makes interesting reading! See "Cities of Ladies" by Walter Simmons.) I would never argue that it logically follows that, if it's hard to keep a good woman muzzled, it is easy to muzzle a bad one. Speaking AS a woman, as I so often do, I would say it's difficult to muzzle ANY woman. I suspect we might agree on that point.